Getting a C

I am a junior right now and received my first C last semester in IB Physics. I was in a bad place at the time because of familial issues, but beforehand I mostly had As (I had 3 B pluses too). My extracurriculars I think are okay. I’m an officer of Key Club, Beta Club, and International Club right now. By senior year I should be an officer in about 11 clubs and have created my own. I applied to two hospital volunteer programs and the pre college program at Emory over the summer. I have a 35 on the ACT and I haven’t taken the SAT yet. I’m in IB and have taken a couple APs (AP Human Geo, AP World History, AP Macroeconomics, and AP US Govt and Politics). My rank dropped from 9 to 13, but I am taking a couple online AP classes over the summer to raise my gpa. My gpa weighted is 4.48 and unweighted is 3.86. Vanderbilt is my dream school and I plan on applying early decision. Has the C in physics ruined everything?

C in junior year might be a dealbreaker. Make sure to explain it in your app.

With a 35 on your ACT, there is no reason to take the SAT. You are an officer in 3 clubs, but say in your senior year you will be an officer in 11? That would look wishy washy and resume padding.

Try your best for the rest of the marking period, and talk with your guidance counselor about it. Your GC has to write a rec for you as well, and you can most likely ask him/her to include it in the letter. I would also address your grade in the additional information section–be eloquent!

Best of luck to you. Keep your head up and charge through the rest of junior year!

Definitely explain this in your app. Better yet have your counselor mention this in their letter.

Agreed that the GC can help explain this, and being an officer in 11 clubs won’t be a positive aspect of your application.